Free Darkness Before Dawn by Sharon M. Draper

that she had been working real hard to get a part in a performance—dancing several hours a day—and eating very little. I tried to tell him that it wasn’t his fault, but he was really upset.”
    â€œDid the doctor say what was wrong with Angel?”
    â€œShe said Angel’s got anorexia nervosa and it’s common in young dancers and gymnasts. These kids starve themselves to death, and they’re not even aware that’s what they’re doing.”
    â€œThat’s deep—and scary, too.”
    â€œIt’s worse than that,” Jalani said. “Gerald told me that Angel’s dance teacher constantly called the girls fat and made fun of them for their size.”
    â€œYou’re lyin’!” I said with astonishment.
    â€œNo, I’m for real. The doctor didn’t believe it either. Gerald said that Angel’s teacher told them that only the thinnest and smallest girls got to be professionals in New York. The doctor just sighed and shook her head.”
    â€œSo did they keep Angel at the hospital?”
    â€œThey’re going to keep her overnight, feeding her with an IV and making sure her fluid levels are back to normal, but she’ll be able to go home tomorrow,” Jalani said.
    â€œSo what happens then? Is there a cure for anorexia?”
    Jalani sighed. “The doctor told Gerald that first of all, obviously, Angel’s gotta eat. Lots of tiny meals instead of three big meals. Lots of encouragement from all of us. Lots of support and understanding because when she looks in the mirror, she really does see a fat person. And she should probably see a nutritionist or somebody who specializes in anorexia. And if all this doesn’t happen, the doctor said that Angel could die.”
    â€œOh my.” I was stunned into silence.
    â€œI told Gerald I would help as much as I could,” Jalani said. “So much has changed in just one night.”
    â€œI’m glad you were there for them tonight, Jalani,” I told her.
    â€œMe, too. I gotta go. I’m really sleepy.”
    â€œG’nite, Jalani.”
    â€œG’nite, Keisha.”

7
    December began with a blizzard. Fifteen inches of snow covered Cincinnati like a thick, white winter blanket, and the temperatures dipped down to fifteen degrees. Schools, work places, even the malls were closed. I love snow days—no stress, no schedules, no homework. On that cold December day, I hadn’t even gotten out of bed yet. I was cuddled under tons of blankets, reading a book I had checked out of the library. The phone rang and I waited till the fourth or fifth ring to pick it up. “Hello.”
    I heard a male voice clear his throat. “May I speak to Keisha please?”
    â€œSpeaking.”
    â€œThis is Jonathan Hathaway. I hope I’m not disturbing you.
    I was mildly surprised that he was calling me. I had kept my distance during cross-country practice, and though Isensed that he was interested in me, he rarely said anything to me that was not related to running or training. He always smiled and was pleasant when I was around, and he went out of his way to say hello when I saw him in the halls at school. That was cool with me.
    â€œNo, I was just reading and enjoying this snowy day,” I told him.
    â€œWell, that’s why I called, sort of.” He hesitated. “I’m taking some students skiing this afternoon—mostly seniors and a couple of kids from the cross-country team. Just for a couple of hours up at Perfect North Slopes. Would you like to go?”
    I was truly surprised. I thought about my warm bed and my good book and started to turn him down, but I loved skiing and didn’t often get the chance. “Sure, why not? Sounds like fun.”
    I could hear him sigh with relief. “I’ll pick you up in an hour if that’s OK.”
    He hung up and I dragged myself out of bed to find my long underwear and heavy jacket. I